Wire connector

ABSTRACT

A see-through electrical connector comprises a first housing having a chamber therein, a second housing having chamber therein with the second housing including an open end mateable with an open end of the first housing to form an enclosure for supporting an electrical wire connection therein, a window located on either the first housing or the second housing for viewing the electrical wire connection in the enclosure, and an electrical wire securing and supporting member located in the enclosure.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application of pending U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/593,827; filed on Nov. 7, 2006; titledWIRE CONNECTOR.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to wire connectors and, morespecifically, to an open-face wire connector for on-the-go formation ofa covered electrical junction.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

None

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

None

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One of the ways of formation of on-the-go sealant covered electricalconnection in twist on wire connectors is disclosed in King U.S. Pat.Nos. 5,151,239; 5,113,037; 5,023,402 and Re 37,340 which show a twist onwire connector that allows on-the-go formation of a sealant coveredelectrical connection in the presence of a sealant.

The twist-on type of wire connector is well suited for joining two ormore wires into an electrical connection with each other. Otherapplications such as the formation of connection to branch lines or theformation of electrical connections to other types of lugs generallyrequire that the connection be made to the wire connector lug and thesealant is then poured or injected into the housing to encapsulate theelectrical connections therein.

The Simmons U.S. Pat. No. 6,025,559 discloses a tubular housing having atwist-on wire connector where the wires are twisted into a coil and thewires and the wire holder are forced into a sealant located at the endof the tubular housing.

Still another embodiment of a tubular is shown in King U.S. Pat. No.6,051,791 wherein a two-part connector containing a connector is made ina shoe and the shoe with the electrical connector is forced into atubular member containing a sealant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An open-face electrical connector comprising a first housing having achamber therein and a second housing mateable with the first housing toform an enclosure for supporting an electrical wire therein with atleast one latchable wire retainer therein having jaw that can be clampedaround an electrical wire to hold the electrical wire therein.

The present invention also comprises a see-through electrical connectorthat includes a first housing having a chamber therein and a secondhousing having chamber therein. The second housing includes an open endmateable with an open end of the first housing to form an enclosure forsupporting an electrical wire connection therein. Located in theenclosure is an electrical wire securing and supporting member forsupporting an electrical wire connection. Located on the first housing,the second housing, or the first housing and the second housing is awindow for viewing the electrical wire connection in the enclosure. Alsolocated on either the first housing, the second housing, or the firsthousing and the second housing is a transparent sealant forwaterproofing the electrical wire connection when the open end of thefirst housing engages the open end of the second housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the on-the-go sealable wire connector;

FIG. 1A is a partial front view of the wire connector of FIG. 1 securedto a support surface;

FIG. 1B is an end view of the wire connector of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2 shown an isolated perspective view of a wire retainer;

FIG. 3 show a perspective view of an underside of the jaw of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 also show a perspective view of an underside of the jaw of FIG.2;

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional end view showing the interactionbetween the extensions of the upper jaw and the holes in a lower jaw;

FIG. 5A is a partial cross-sectional end view showing the disengagementbetween the extensions of the locking cover and the holes of a lower jawas the upper jaw is pushed into a closed condition;

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional side view showing the interactionbetween a latch of the upper jaw and a set of teeth of the lower jaw;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the open-face electrical connectorof FIG. 1 supporting an electrical wire branching connection therein;

FIG. 8 is perspective views showing an embodiment of an open-faceelectrical connector similar to the on-the-go sealable wire connector ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is perspective views showing the open-face electrical connectorof FIG. 8 having wire fastener members comprising cable ties;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an alternative embodiment of asee-through electrical connector having a transparent housing; and

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an alternative embodiment of asee-through electrical connector having a housing containing a viewingwindow.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

U.S. Pat. No. 4,600,261 discloses an apparatus and method for protectionof electrical contacts from an adverse environment.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,023,402 discloses a waterproof connector having arotatable wire connector with a sealant filled housing attaches thereto.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,113,037 discloses a waterproof and fire retardantconnector having a rotatable wire connector filled with sealant andhaving an end cap attached thereto.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,151,239 discloses a solderless twist on wire connectorand a method of making a solderless twist on wire junction encapsulatingtwist on wire connector.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,347,084 discloses a hinged gel-filled environmentalsealing device adapted for coaxial cable splices.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,828,005 discloses a gel-filled closure for protecting aconnector component between a cable and at least another cable.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,025,559 discloses a twist-on wire connector thatincludes a multi-piece connector assembly in which a wire or wire bundleis first joined together and subsequently encapsulated into amoisture-resistant sealant.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,051,791 discloses a waterproof wire connector comprisinga tubular cap having a tubular shoe telescopically received in the cap.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,958,116 discloses a method and apparatus for cathodicprotection of reinforced concrete using discrete nodes in or on thereinforced concrete member to improve performance and service life ofthe discrete anodes.

U.S. Patent Number RE 37,340 discloses a waterproof and fire retardantconnector having a rotatable wire connector filled with sealant andhaving an end cap attached thereto.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an open-face electrical connector 10that permits on-the-go securement and sealability of an electricaljunction after an electrical connection has been formed. The open-facewire connector 10, which is a clamshell type wire connector, is shown ina sealant carrying condition. Wire connector 10 includes a first openhousing 11 and a second open housing 13. Housings 11 and 13 are formedof an electrical insulating material such as a polymer plastic. Firsthousing 11 includes a first end wall 11 a, a second end wall 11 b and anopen top empty chamber 12 for receiving a sealant 55 and second housing13 includes a first end wall 13 a, a second end wall 13 b and an opentop chamber 14 for holding a sealant 55. In the embodiment shown asealant 55 is located in both housing 11 and housing 13 and extendsupward to partially fill the compartment therein. Consequently, when thehousings 11 and 13 are closed the sealant flows around and encapsulatesthe electrical junction held between the wire retainers 18 and 20. Whilesealant is shown in both housings it is within the scope of theinvention to have only one of the housings contain the sealant.

In the preferred embodiment a preferred sealant 55 comprises a viscoussealant such as silicone or the like which is retained in the housing ifthe housings 11 and 13 is tipped during handling. Other types ofsealant, such as epoxy sealants, could also be used in the presentinvention. While the invention is shown with the use of sealant thereinit can be appreciated that the open face connector can also be usedwithout sealant.

Open housings 11 and 13 are hinged to each other and form an enclosurewhen the open housings 11 and 13 are mated to each other. Morespecifically, housing 13 has a mating shape with housing 11 so that whenthe open ends of housing 11 and housing 13 are brought into engagementthey form an enclosure for supporting an electrical wire branchingconnection therein. It is noted that the enclosure also functions toconfine the sealant therein. Housing 11 includes a set of three snapextensions 56 located on the open end of housings 13 for lockinglyengaging an opposing lip 57 located on a ledge of housing 11 to maintainthe engagement of housing 11 and housing 13 in a closed condition.

In the embodiment shown housings 11 and 13 are preferably made from apolymer plastic and include a living hinge 15 for pivotally connectingand maintaining the housings 11 and 13 proximate each other when thewire connector 10 is in an open condition. In addition, hinge 15 allowsone to rotate second housing 13 one hundred eighty degrees to bringsecond housing 13 into mated engagement with the housing 11. Located onthe front side of housing 11 is a first mounting post 11 d having anopening 11 f therein and a second mounting post 11 e having an opening11 g therein.

Open face connector 10 can be used in various modes. If there is nosealant present in chambers 12 or 14 the connector 10 can be used toform a protective housing around an electrical junction by closinghousing 13 on housing 11. On the other hand if a user wants to use asealant on certain connections but not on other types of connections theuser can place the sealant in those open face connectors that requiresealant and leave the other connections without sealant.

Referring to first housing 11, first housing 11 includes a firstlatchable wire retainer 16 and a second latchable wire retainer 17spaced therefrom with both the wire retainers 16 and 17 openable forlaterally inserting a wire therein and subsequently encompassing andsecuring the wire to the housing by clamping the wire in the wireretainers 16 and 17.

First wire retainer 16 comprises a base member or lower jaw 18 having awire supporting surface 18 a and an adjustable locking cover or upperjaw 19 for clamping around a portion of a wire to secure an electricalwire therein. Similarly, second wire retainer 17 comprises a lower jawor base member 20 having a wire supporting surface 20 a and anadjustable locking upper jaw or cover 21 for clamping around a portionof a wire to secure an electrical wire therein.

In the normal condition second housing 13 is preferably held in an openand extended condition. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, hinge 15includes a bias to hold the second housing 13 in a laterally extendedcondition from first housing 11 so as to make the latchable wireretainers 16 and 17 readily accessible for supporting the wire thereon.

FIG. 1A is a partial front view of the wire connector 10 and FIG. 1B isan end view of the wire connector of FIG. 1A secured to a supportsurface 9 showing the mounting post 11 d (in section) and the mountingpost 11 e which are integrally part of housing 11. In addition, tabs 13d and 13 e which are integrally part of housing 13 extend outward. Tab13 d extends over mounting post 11 d to enable a fastener such as ascrew 70 to be extended through the tab 13 d and the mounting post 11 dinto the support surface 9. Similarly, Tab 13 e extends over mountingpost 11 e to enable a fastener such as a screw 71 to be extended throughthe tab 13 e and the mounting post 11 e into the support surface 9. Thisprovides a two-fold benefit, first one can secure the wire connector 10in a closed condition, and second one can secure the wire connector to afixed location. In addition, if desired the mounting posts and tabs canbe secured to each other to hold the wire connector 10 in a closedcondition without securing the wire connector to a support surface. Inthe embodiment shown a wire 78 extends from one side of wire connector10 and a wire 79 extends from the opposite side of the wire connector 10while the one side of the housing partially nests in the other side toprevent sealant from escaping. That is the edges of one container canextend partially into the other container to inhibit sealant fromflowing there past.

FIG. 2 shows an isolated perspective view of latchable wire retainer 16of FIG. 1. Latchable wire retainer 16 generally comprises two mainparts, namely lower jaw 18 and upper jaw 19. Jaw 18 comprises a body 24having a first side 25, a second side 25 a, a first end 26, a second end26 a, and a wire supporting surface 18 a. Although the wire-supportingsurface can comprise a variety of shapes, in the embodiment of FIG. 2,wire supporting surface 18 a comprises a generally semi-circular shapeand can function to support wires of varying sizes.

Located on end 26 is a set of end teeth 27 and similarly, located on end26 a is an identical set of teeth (not shown). The set of end teeth arelocated diametrically opposed to each other on ends 26 and 26 a of body24. Body 24 also includes a first set of holes 28 and a second set ofholes 29 extending from the first side 25 to the second side 25 a ofbody 24 with first set of holes 28 shown in the embodiment of FIG. 2located proximate the first end 26 of body 24 and the second set ofholes 29 shown located proximal the second end 26 a of body 24. Body 24also includes a plurality of ribs 31 extending from sides 25 and 25 aand ends 26 and 26 a with elongated ribs 31 forming a plurality of guidechannels 32 therebetween with the ribs enhancing the rigidity andstrength of the jaw.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an underside of the one piece jaw 19of FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the one piece jaw 19partially in section. Jaw 19 includes a first end 34, a second end 34 a,and a wire-engaging surface 35. Extending from first end 34 is a firstintegral resilient latch 36 having a tooth 36 a for lockingly engagingthe set of teeth 27 and extending from second end 34 a is a secondintegral resilient latch 37 having a tooth 37 a for lockingly engaging aset of teeth (not shown) located on the end 26 a of jaw 18.

Jaw 19 also includes a first pair of resilient extensions 38 and 38 aand a second pair of resilient extensions 40 and 40 a. The first pair ofextensions 38 and 38 a are shown located proximal the first end 34 ofjaw 19 and the second pair of extensions 40, 40 a are shown locatedproximal the second end 34 a of jaw 19. Extension 38, having atransversely extending pivot pin 39 and similarly extension 38 a havinga transversely extending pivot pin 39 a. Pivot pins 39 and 39 a arediametrically opposed to each other for locking and rotateableengagement with a cylindrical shoulder 28 a forming hole 28 (FIG. 2) andfor locking and rotateable engagement with a cylindrical shoulder 29 aforming hole 29 (FIG. 2) of jaw 18. Similarly, extension 40 includes apivot pin 41 and extension 40 a includes a pivot pin 41 a with the pivotpins 40 a and 41 a positioned diametrically opposed to each other forrotateable locking engagement with the shoulders of holes 28 and 29.Referring back to FIG. 3, it is noted that a feature of the presentinvention is that extensions 38 and 38 a and the extensions 40 and 40 ahave opposing pins. More specifically, the opposing pins 39 and 39 a aremateable to the shoulders surface 28 a of the hole 28.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional end view showing the interactionbetween resilient extension 38 of jaw 19 and one end of shoulder 28 a ofone of the holes 28 of jaw 18 and extension 38 a and an opposite end ofshoulder 28 a of one of the holes 28 of the jaw. As can be seen when theresilient extensions are in the position shown in FIG. 5 the pins 39 and39 a extend into the hole 28 to engage cylindrical shoulder surface 28 atherein.

Pin 39 has a lower angled face 39 d, which allows pin 39 to bedisengaged as extension 38 is pushed downward. That is, the angled face39 d guides pin 39 transversely outward as a downward force is appliedto extension 39. Similarly, pin 39 a has a lower angled face 39 b, whichallows pin 39 a to be disengaged as extension 38 a is pushed downward.That is the angled face 39 b guides pin 39 transversely outward as adownward force is applied to extension 39 and the angled face 39 dguides pin 39 transversely outward as the downward force is applied toextension 38.

FIG. 5A shows the pin 39 and the pin 39 a moving transversely outward ofthe retaining shoulder 28 a as a downward force is applied to theextensions 38 and 38 a through jaw 19. The opposing pins 39 and 39 a,which are mounted on resilient extensions 38 and 38 a enable one toquickly engage the upper and lower jaw. That is, they prevent upwarddisplacement of upper jaw 19 with respect to lower jaw 18 but not in thedownward direction thereby enabling one to snug the upper jaw 19 aroundany wires located in lower jaw 18. In addition, if only one set of thepivot pins 39 and 39 a of upper jaw 19 on the extensions 38 and 38 a isengaged at the same time, as illustrated in FIG. 1, it permitsrotational engagement between upper jaw 19 and lower jaw 18 to enablejaw 19 to be pivotally opened to permit lateral insertion of a wirebetween jaw 19 and jaw 18. Jaw 19 can then be pivoted around the wiresuntil the extensions 40 and 40 a (FIG. 3) with their respective pins 41and 41 a are engaged with the lower jaw 18. Once in engagement one canpush down on the upper jaw 19 and snug the upper jaw 19 around any wireslocated in the lower jaw 18. In contrast to the angled faces 39 b and 39d the upper transverse faces 39 c and 39 e engage the interior shouldersurface 28 a to prevent withdrawal of the pin 39 a as shown in FIG. 5.

A reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 shows that jaw 19 further includes aset alignment members 42 for mating engagement with the guide channels32 of base member 18 to provide for an alignment of jaw 19 to jaw 18.

In the process of securing jaw 19 to jaw 18, the diametrically opposingpins 39, 39 a of pair of extensions 38, 38 a engage the first slot ofset of holes 28 to pivotably attached jaw 19 to jaw 18. Once pivotallyattached to jaw 18, jaw 19 is then rotated to mate the alignment members42 of jaw 19 with the guide channels 32 of jaw 18. The mating ofalignment members 42 with the guide channels 32 results in the wiresupporting surface 18 a of jaw 18 and the wire engaging surface 35 ofjaw 19 cooperating to form an opening 43 for receiving a portion of awire therein.

The diametrically opposing pins 41, 41 a of pair of extensions 40, 40 aare then mated to a set of holes 29 as shown in FIG. 2. Jaw 19 is thenpushed towards jaw 18 to further lock or latch jaw 19 to jaw 18 throughthe engagement of the tooth of latch 36 of jaw 19 with the set of teethof jaw 18.

In regards to opening 43, it is noted that the size of opening 43 can beadjusted to accommodate electrical wires of different shapes and sizes.The size of opening 43 is adjusted through the displacement of jaw 19with respect to jaw 18. The set or desired size of opening 43 is thenlockingly maintained by the engagement of pins 39, 39 a of extension 38and pins 41, 41 a of extension 40 with respect to the set of holes 28and 29 of jaw 18 and by the engagement of latches 36 and 37 of jaw 19with respect to the teeth on lower jaw 18.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional side view showing the interactionbetween tooth 36 a of latch 36 of jaw 19 and the set of teeth 27 of jaw18 in locking the set size of opening 43.

After a portion of an electrical wire is supported on wire supportingsurface 18 a, jaw 19 is secured to jaw 18 and the wire engaging surface35 of jaw 19 is moved towards wire supporting surface 18 a therebychanging the size of opening 43. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, as jaw 19is displaced towards jaw 18, the slot of set of holes 28, which pins 39and 39 a lockingly engage changes and the tooth of set of teeth 27,which tooth 36 a of latch 36 lockingly engages also changes. Wireengaging surface 35 is moved towards wire supporting surface 18 a untilwire-engaging surface 35 engages and clamps a portion the electricalwire after which displacement of jaw 19 towards jaw 18 ceases.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the open-face electrical connector10 of FIG. 1 supporting an electrical wire branching connection 44therein. In the use of the open-face electrical connector 10 as shown inFIG. 7, the electrical wire branching connection 44 is first madebetween a main electrical wire 45 and a secondary electrical wire 46through the use of an electrical connection member comprising a splitbolt connector 47. It is noted that the electrical connection memberthat can be used for the present invention is not limited to a splitbolt connector and that other types of electrical connection member canbe used. A first insulated portion or section of main electrical wire 45is then supported on jaw 18 of first wire retainer 16 and is lockinglysecured thereto by jaw 19. A second insulated portion or section of mainelectrical wire 45 is then supported on jaw 20 of second wire retainer17 and is lockingly secured thereto by jaw 21 with the electrical wirebranching connection 44 located between first wire retainer 16 andsecond wire retainer 17.

Although not shown, once electrical wire branching connection 44 issecured in open-face electrical connector 10 between first wire retainer16 and second wire retainer 17, the open end of first housing 11 isbrought into mating engagement with the open end of second housing 13.The engagement of the open end of first housing 11 and the open end ofsecond housing 13 causes the first end wall 11 a of the first housing 11and the first end wall 13 a of the second housing 13 cooperate to form aseal around a third insulated portion of main electrical wire 45 and aninsulated portion of secondary electrical wire 46. The second end wall11 b of the first housing 11 and the breakable end wall 13 b of thesecond housing 13 also cooperate to form a seal around an insulatedportion of main electrical wire 45 to confine the electrical wirebranching connection 44 within the enclosure formed by the housings 11and 13.

To provide for waterproof protection, the presence of a sufficientamount of a viscous sealant 55 in second housing 13 allows one to bringthe second housing 13 into engagement and cause the sealant 55 in thehousing 11 and 13 to flow around the split bolt connector 47 and theexposed portions of wires 45 and 46 to form a waterproof electrical wirebranching connection 44 therein.

It is noted that the seals formed around wires 45 and 46 by end walls 11a, 11 b, 13 a, and 13 b can be from a resilient or flexible nature ofwalls 11 a, 11 b, 13 a, and 13 b, or from the form-fitting knock out orby cutting a recess in walls 11 a, 11 b, 13 a, and 13 b, or by thecombination thereof.

A further feature of the invention is that the retainers 19 and 20provide a mechanical stop for the split bolt connector 44 that preventsthe wires from being accidentally pulled free of the assembled wireconnector 10.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are perspective views showing an alternative embodiment ofan open-face electrical connector 48 having a first housing 60 and asecond housing 61 that permits on-the-go securement and sealability ofan electrical junction in the joined housings after an electricalconnection has been formed. Open-face electrical connector 48 is similarto the open-face electrical connector 10 of FIG. 1 with open-faceelectrical connector 48 including a first wire retainer 49 comprising afirst lower rigid jaw 50 having a first wire supporting surface 50 and acable tie supporting channel 50 a located beneath wire supportingsurface 50 and an upper jaw comprising a flexible cable-tie 53 having awire engaging surface 53 c with the cable-tie threadable through cabletie channel 50 a to form a latchable upper jaw 53.

Similarly, housing 60 including a second wire retainer 51 comprising afirst lower rigid jaw 52 having a first wire supporting surface 52 b anda cable tie supporting channel 52 a located beneath wire supportingsurface 52 b and an upper flexible jaw comprising a flexible cable-tie54 having a wire engaging surface 52 c with the cable tie 53 threadablethrough cable tie channel 52 a to form a latchable upper jaw 54. Cableties are well known and generally comprises an elongated flexible bandwith a set of teeth thereon and a penetrateable head having teeththerein so that when the flexible band is extended through the head theteeth on the band slide past each other in one direction but engage eachother if moved in opposite direction to prevent withdrawal of the bandfrom the head.

In use of open-face electrical connector 48, a first portion of anelectrical wire, shown in phantom, is supported on the wire supportingsurface 50 b of lower jaw or jaws 50 and a second portion of anelectrical wire, shown in phantom, is supported on the wire supportingsurface 52 b of lower jaw or jaws 52. To latch a wire therein a free end53 a of cable-tie 53, which forms a first upper jaw, is extended througha locking end 53 b of cable-tie 53 and the free end 54 a of cable-tie54, which forms a second upper jaw, is extended through a locking end 54b of cable-tie 54. The free end 53 a of cable-tie 53 and the free end 54a of cable-tie 54 are then pulled to lockingly secure the first portionof the electrical wire to jaw 50 and the second portion of theelectrical wire to jaw 52.

The electrical connector 10 and electrical connector 48 both allow oneto clamp wires of different sizes therein since both allow one to adjustthe upper jaw of the latchable retainers to accommodate wire or wires ofdifferent sizes.

FIGS. 10 and 11 are perspective views each showing alternativeembodiments of a see-through electrical connectors 62 and 69 similar tothe open-face electrical connector 10 of FIG. 1. See-through electricalconnectors 62 and 69 are each shown supporting electrical wire branchingconnection 44 therein in a closed condition. Referring to FIG. 10,see-through electrical connector 62 comprises a transparent firsthousing 63 having a chamber therein and a second housing 64 havingchamber therein. The second housing 64 includes an open end 64 amateable with an open end 63 a of the transparent first housing 63 toform an enclosure 65 for supporting an electrical wire branchingconnection 44 therein. Located within enclosure 65 is an electrical wiresecuring and supporting member for supporting for supporting electricalwire branching connection 44 in enclosure 65. In the embodiment FIG. 10,the electrical wire securing and supporting member comprises a firstlatchable wire retainer 66 and a second latchable wire retainer 67identical to latchable wire retainers 16 and 17 of FIGS. 1 and 7.

In regards to first housing 63 and second housing 64, first housing 63and second housing 64 preferably are both formed from an electricallyinsulating material wherein either the first housing 63 or the secondhousing 64 comprises a transparent member to allow for the viewing ofelectrical wire branching connection 44 in the enclosure 65 whensee-through electrical connectors 62 is in the closed condition.However, in alternative embodiments the first housing 63 and the secondhousing 64 each comprises a transparent electrical insulating materialsuch as a transparent polymer plastic or a transparent polypropylene toallow for the viewing of electrical wire branching connection 44 in theenclosure 65 at all angles when see-through electrical connectors 62 isin the closed condition.

See-through electrical connector 62 also includes a transparent sealant68 located in either the transparent first housing 63, the secondhousing 64, or both the first housing 63 and the second housing 64 withtransparent sealant 68 functioning to waterproof the electrical wirebranching connection 44 located within enclosure 65 when the open end 63a of the first housing 63 engages the open end 64 a of the secondhousing 64. An example of the transparent sealant that may be usedinclude a product called QGel-317, which is a silicone elastomermanufactured and sold by Quantum Silicones, Inc., a corporation locatedin Richmond, Va. 23237.

Referring to FIG. 10, see-through electrical connector 69 is almostidentical to see-through electrical connector 62 of FIG. 9. However,instead of providing for the transparent first housing 63 and the secondhousing 64 as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 9, open-face electricalconnector 69 comprises a first housing 70 and a second housing 71wherein either the first housing 70, second housing 71 or both the firsthousing 70 and the second housing 71 include a viewing window 72 locatedthereon to allow for the viewing of electrical wire branching connection44 in the enclosure 73 when see-through electrical connectors 69 is inthe closed condition.

The present invention includes a method of forming a branch attachmentcomprising the steps of (1) forming a first housing 11 having a chamber12 containing a first wire retainer 16 and a second wire retainer 17;(2) forming a second housing 13 having a chamber 14 therein; (3) placinga sealant 55 in at least one of the housings; (4) placing a wire 45 ofan electrical wire branching connection 44 on a wire supporting surface18 a of the first wire retainer 16 and a wire supporting surface 20 a ofthe second wire retainer 17; (5) securing the wire 45 of the electricalwire branching connection 44 to the first wire retainer 116 and thesecond wire retainer 17; and (6) placing an open end of the firsthousing and an open end of the second housing in engagement to cause thesealant in the housing to flow around an electrical junction of theelectrical wire branching connection 44. The aforementioned method alsocan include the step of placing a sealant 55 in the first housing 11.

The present invention also includes a method of forming a branchattachment comprising the steps of (1) forming a first housing 63, 70having a chamber containing an electrical wire securing and supportingmember 66; (2) forming a second housing 64, 71 having a chamber therein;(3) forming a viewing window 72 on either the first housing 63, 70 orthe second housing 64, 71; (4) placing a transparent sealant 68 ineither the first housing 63, 70 or the second housing 64, 71; (5)securing an electrical wire 46 to the electrical wire securing andsupporting member 66; (6) placing an open end 63 a of the first housing63 and an open end 64 a of the second housing 64 in engagement to bringthe first housing 63 and the second housings 64 into a closed conditionto cause the transparent sealant 68 to flow around an electricaljunction of an electrical wire connection 44; and (7) viewing theelectrical wire connection 44 with the first housing 63, 70 and thesecond housing 64, 71 in the closed condition to verify a properelectrical wire connection 44.

The above method may further include the steps of (8) placing thetransparent sealant 68 in both the first housing 63, 70 and the secondhousing 64, 71; (9) forming a first housing 63, 70 having a chambercontaining a wire retainer 66 therein; and (10) viewing the electricalwire connection 44 with the first housing 63, 70 and the second housing64, 71 in the closed condition to check for corrosion.

1. A see-through electrical connector comprising: a first housing havinga chamber therein; a second housing having chamber therein, the secondhousing mateable with the first housing to form an enclosure forsupporting an electrical wire connection therein; a window located oneither the first housing or the second housing for viewing theelectrical wire connection in the enclosure; and an electrical wiresecuring and supporting member located in the enclosure.
 2. Thesee-through electrical connector of claim 1 wherein the first housingand the second housing comprise an electrically insulating material. 3.The see-through electrical connector of claim 1 wherein either the firsthousing or the second housing comprises a transparent member for viewingthe electrical wire connection in the enclosure.
 4. The see-throughelectrical connector of claim 1 wherein the first housing and the secondhousing each comprises a transparent material for viewing the electricalwire connection in the enclosure.
 5. The see-through electricalconnector of claim 1 wherein the window comprises a transparentpolypropylene.
 6. The see-through electrical connector of claim 1including a transparent sealant located in either the first housing orthe second housing, the transparent sealant waterproofing the electricalwire connection when the open end of the first housing engages the openend of the second housing.
 7. The see-through electrical connector ofclaim 6 wherein the transparent sealant comprises a transparent siliconeelastomer.
 8. The see-through electrical connector of claim 1 whereinthe electrical wire securing and supporting member comprises a latchablewire retainer located in the enclosure, the latchable wire retainerhaving a first jaw with a wire support surface and a second jaw with awire support surface with the latchable wire retainer having an opencondition for laterally inserting a wire between the first jaw and thesecond jaw and then bringing the first jaw and the second jaw intoclamping engagement around a peripheral wire surface by bringing thefirst jaw toward the second jaw.
 9. The see-through electrical connectorof claim 8 wherein the second jaw of the latchable wire retainercomprises an adjustable wire fastener for securing a portion of theelectrical wire to the wire supporting surface of the first jaw.
 10. Asee-through electrical connector comprising: a transparent first housinghaving a chamber therein; a second housing having chamber therein, thesecond housing mateable with the transparent first housing to form anenclosure for supporting an electrical wire connection therein; meansfor securing and supporting the electrical wire connection within theenclosure; and a transparent sealant.
 11. The see-through electricalconnector of claim 11 wherein the second housing comprises a transparentsecond housing.
 12. The see-through electrical connector of claim 11wherein the transparent sealant comprises a transparent siliconeelastomer.
 13. A method of forming a branch attachment comprising thesteps of: forming a first housing having a chamber containing anelectrical wire securing and supporting member; forming a second housinghaving a chamber therein; forming a viewing window on either the firsthousing or the second housing; placing a transparent sealant in eitherthe first housing or the second housing; securing an electrical wire tothe electrical wire securing and supporting member; placing the firsthousing and the second housing in engagement to bring the first housingand the second housings into a closed condition to cause the transparentsealant to flow around an electrical junction of an electrical wireconnection; and viewing the electrical wire connection with the firsthousing and the second housing in the closed condition to verify aproper electrical wire connection.
 14. The method of claim 13 includingthe step of placing the transparent sealant in both the first housingand the second housing.
 15. The method of claim 13 wherein the step offorming the first housing having the chamber containing the electricalwire securing and supporting member comprises forming a first housinghaving a chamber containing a first wire retainer therein.
 16. Themethod of claim 13 including the step of viewing the electrical wireconnection with the first housing and the second housing in the closedcondition to check for corrosion.